Stretch Reducer Rolling Mill With Asymmetric Rollers for Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rolling mills face issues such as symmetry requirements necessitating stand overturning, gravity-induced wear, safety and practicality concerns, difficulty in individual stand locking, excessive maintenance costs, and alignment inconsistencies, leading to reduced reliability and product quality.

Innovation Solution

A rolling mill design with vertically oriented rollers and 210°/330° angled rollers, allowing for independent stand alignment and locking in three directions, using translation and positioning guides for precise positioning, and separate guides for water and scale drainage, reducing wear and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional Y/λ configuration with horizontal and inclined rollers is used, then calibration function is achieved, but symmetry requirements necessitate stand overturning between even and odd positions, increasing complexity and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller arrangement configurationVSAvoidstand positioning and alignment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional symmetric Y/λ configuration with an asymmetric arrangement where at least one roller has a vertical rotation axis and another roller's axis forms a 210° or 330° angle with the horizontal. This asymmetric design eliminates the need for stand overturning between even and odd positions, as each stand has a unique configuration that doesn't require symmetry-based repositioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of operation

If stands are repeatedly overturned between even and odd positions, then calibration operation is maintained, but gravity-induced wear increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration operation continuityVSAvoidstand alignment consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of overturning stands to maintain calibration operation, the patent inverts the approach by designing stands with asymmetric roller configurations that remain functional in fixed positions. The 210°/330° angled rollers combined with vertical rollers create a configuration that achieves calibration without requiring periodic stand overturning, thereby eliminating gravity-induced wear from repeated positioning changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If individual stand locking is implemented in three directions, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestand alignment precisionVSAvoidstand locking mechanism maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-aligning asymmetric roller configurations that inherently maintain precise alignment without requiring complex three-directional locking mechanisms. The unique 210°/330° angled roller arrangement combined with vertical rollers creates a geometry that naturally resists misalignment, reducing the need for elaborate locking systems and their associated maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4251341B1Reducer and/or calibrating rolling mill for rod-shaped bodies
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 DANIELI & C OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA
  • EP4251341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4251341B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4251341B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A stretch reducer and/or calibrating rolling mill for rod-shaped bodies, in particular tubular bodies, in particular hollow bodies, said rolling mill comprising a plurality of rolling stands (101) each comprising a plurality of rolling rollers (102) mutually arranged so as to define a passage (105) for said rod-shaped bodies, wherein said rolling stands (101) are arranged in sequence along a rolling direction so that the respective passages (105) are substantially aligned to define a rolling path substantially parallel to said rolling direction, wherein each of at least two of said rolling stands (101) comprises three rolling rollers (102).